Information system with detachable information module

ABSTRACT

A unitary handheld portable module includes a keypad for entering data and a display for displaying data. A base module is configured to be coupled with and communicate through a telephone line and includes a keypad for dialing a telephone number and a display for displaying information. The portable and base modules are configured to have a mounted configuration in which the portable module is removably mounted on the base module and covers the base module&#39;s display, and the modules communicate with each other for the portable module&#39;s display to display information relating to operation of the base module.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/327,841, filedDec. 16, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/965,222, filed Dec. 10, 2010 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,099,090), which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/146,556, filed May 15,2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,885,645), which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/291,303, filed May 15, 2001, all theabove applications hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This relates to information systems in general, and particularly to aninformation system having a detachable module.

2. Description of Related Art

Many people today use portable devices such as personal digitalassistants (PDA), cellular phones, pagers, wireless modems, wirelessemail devices, and other devices. These devices, and other devices, suchas computers, telephones, scanners, printers, facsimile machines, etc.,operate substantially independently from each other. For example, auser's desktop telephone set and cellular telephone may provide similarcommunication functionality, but each operates independently and is notdesigned for integration or operation with each other. Where thetelephone set and cellular telephone provide for storage and retrievalof contact information, such as names and telephone numbers, the memorysubsystems on each device are also independent and require the user tomanually update both memory subsystems in order to maintain accuracy ofthe contact information. Furthermore, if the user has another portabledevice, such as a PDA, the memory subsystem of the PDA must likewise beupdated to maintain accuracy of the contact information stored in thecellular telephone and the telephone set. In summary, these devices donot readily interoperate.

SUMMARY

An information system includes a first module and a second module thatinteroperate over first and second communication ports. Interoperationover the first and second communication ports provides the first moduleaccess to functions and features of the second module, and likewiseprovides the second module access to functions and features of the firstmodule. The first and second modules may further be operable tocommunicate over first and second networks, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information system comprising a portablemodule and a base module that interoperate over first and secondcommunication ports;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example portable module;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an information system including a communicationmodule having a receiving portion in the base module for receiving theportable module;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the information system in which the portablemodule is removed from the receiving portion;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of placing a phone callbased on selected contact data;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a multiple display driver menuselection;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information system inwhich a portable module display supersedes a base module display;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information system inwhich a portable module display and keypad supersede a base moduledisplay and keypad;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information system inwhich the portable module includes a display and keypad for the basemodule;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information systemwherein the portable module includes a display for the base module;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating the process of initiating callsbased on missed call data received from the portable module;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information systemwherein the portable module is a cellular telephone and the base moduleis a telephone;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating call routing from a portable module toa base module;

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of routing calls placedto a wireless network to a telephone network;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating call handoff from a portable module toa base module;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating call handoff from a portable module toa base module, wherein the call is placed form a mobile communicationdevice;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information system inwhich the base module does not have a receiving portion;

FIG. 18 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information systemincluding multiple portable modules;

FIG. 19 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information systemincluding multiple portable modules and multiple receiving portions inthe base module;

FIG. 20 is another embodiment of the information system including atelephone having a first receiving portion for a PDA and a secondreceiving portion for a cellular telephone;

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating generic and restricted functionaccess;

FIG. 22 is another embodiment of the information system wherein aportable module is received in a computer having a receiving portion;

FIG. 23 is another embodiment of the information system wherein theportable module includes a mounting base operable to communicate withthe computer via a cable;

FIG. 24 is another embodiment of the information system wherein theportable module includes a mounting base received by the computer in areceiving slot;

FIG. 25 is another embodiment of the information system wherein theportable module is received in a receiving portion of a facsimilemachine;

FIG. 26 is another embodiment of the information system wherein theportable module includes a mounting base operable to communicate with ascanner via a cable;

FIG. 27 is another embodiment of the information system wherein theportable module includes a mounting base received by the scanner in areceiving slot;

FIG. 28 is another embodiment of the information system wherein theportable module includes a mounting base operable to communicate with aprinter via a cable; and

FIG. 29 is another embodiment of the information system wherein theportable module is received in a receiving portion of a printer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An information system illustratively comprises a portable module and abase module. The portable module includes a first communication port, afirst processing subsystem, and a first memory subsystem for storingdata, and is operable to perform a first set of functions. The portablemodule may also be operable to communicate over a first network. Thebase module includes a second communication port, a second processingsubsystem, and a second memory subsystem, and is operable to perform asecond set of functions. The base module may also be operable tocommunicate over a second network.

The portable module and the base module interoperate over the first andsecond communication ports. Interoperation over first and secondcommunication ports provides for information transfer between theportable module and the base module, and may also provide the portablemodule access to functions and features of the base module, and likewisemay also provide the base module access to functions and features of theportable module.

In one embodiment, the portable module is a portable data module and thebase module is a communication module. Illustratively, the portable datamodule may be a PDA and the communication module may be a telephone. Theportable data module may also be operable to communicate over a wirelessnetwork. The portable data module and communication module interoperateover first and second communication ports.

In another embodiment, the portable module is a portable communicationmodule and the base module is a communication module. Illustratively,the portable module may be a cellular telephone and the communicationmodule may be a telephone. The portable communication module andcommunication module interoperate over first and second communicationports.

In another embodiment, the portable module is a portable data module andthe base module is a computer device. Illustratively, the portable datamodule may be a PDA and the computer device may be a computer orcomputer peripheral, such as a printer or scanner. The portable datamodule may also be operable to communicate over a wireless network. Theportable data module and base module interoperate over first and secondcommunication ports.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information system comprising a portablemodule 100 and a base module 200 that interoperate over first and secondcommunication ports 110 and 210.

The portable module 100 is operable to perform functions 102 andcomprises a first communication port 110, a first memory subsystem 120for storing data, and a first processing subsystem 130. The firstprocessing subsystem 130 has access to the first memory subsystem 120and the first communication port 110. The portable module 100 preferablystores contact information data in the first memory subsystem 120.

The portable module 100 may also be operable to communicate over a firstcommunication network 300 through a first communication subsystem 160.The portable module 100 may be realized by a wireless mobilecommunication device such as a cellular telephone, a pager, a wirelesse-mail communication device or a PDA enabled for wirelesscommunications, a wireless modem, or other such devices.

The base module 200 is operable to perform functions 202 and comprises asecond communication port 210, a second memory subsystem 220 for storingdata, and a second processing subsystem 240. The base module 200 mayalso be operable to communicate over a second communication network 320through a second communication subsystem 260.

The first and second communication ports 110 and 210 facilitate datatransmission and reception between the portable module 100 and basemodule 200. The portable module 100 and the base module 200 interoperatewhen in communication over communication ports 110 and 210.Interoperation over the first and second communication ports 110 and 210provides for information transfer between the portable module 100 andthe base module 200, and may also provide the portable module 100 accessto functions 202 and the base module 200 access to functions 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example portable module 100. Theportable module 100 preferably performs resident functions of storingand retrieving data in the first memory subsystem 120. The portablemodule 100 may also perform other resident functions, such as contactdata management, calculator functions, calendar functions, etc.Additionally, the portable module 100 preferably performs communicationfunctions, such as voice and/or data communication over a wirelessnetwork 300, and communicating with computer systems on the Internet.Depending on the functionality provided by the portable module 100, theportable module 100 may be realized by a PDA, a data messaging device, atwo-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, awireless Internet appliance or other data communication devices.

If the portable module 100 communicates over the wireless network 300,communication functions are performed through a communication subsystem160. Network access requirements may vary depending upon the type ofnetwork 300. For example, in the Mobitex™ and DataTAC™ networks, theportable modules 100 are registered on the network using a uniqueidentification number associated with each portable module 100. In GPRSnetworks however, network access is associated with a subscriber or userof a portable module 100. A GPRS device therefore requires a subscriberidentity module, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operateon a GPRS network. Other communication networks may have differentaccess requirements.

When required network registration or activation procedures have beencompleted, the portable module 100 may send and receive communicationsignals over the network 300. Signals received by the antenna 168through the network 300 are input to the receiver 162, which may performsuch common receiver functions as signal amplification, frequency downconversion, filtering, channel selection, analog to digital conversionand the like.

Illustratively, the receiver 162 performs analog to digital conversion.Analog to digital conversion of a received signal allows more complexcommunication functions, such as demodulation and decoding to beperformed in the DSP 172. In a similar manner, signals to be transmittedare processed, including modulation and encoding for example, by the DSP172 and input to the transmitter 166 for digital to analog conversion,frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission overthe communication network 300 via the antenna 170. The receiver 162 andtransmitter 166 are coupled to a local oscillators (LOs) 164.

The DSP 172 also provides for receiver and transmitter control. Forexample, the gains applied to communication signals in the receiver 162and transmitter 168 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gaincontrol algorithms implemented in the DSP 172.

The first processing subsystem 130 of the portable module 100 preferablyincludes a microprocessor 132 that controls the overall operation of theportable module. The microprocessor 132 is connected to the first memorysubsystem 120 and an input/output subsystem 140. The first memorysubsystem 120 comprises a flash memory 122 and a random access memory(RAM) 124. The input/output subsystem 140 comprises a keyboard 142, adisplay 144, a serial port 146, auxiliary I/O devices 148, a speaker 150and a microphone 152.

The first communication port 110 may be realized by an infrared deviceand associated circuits and components, a Bluetooth™ communicationmodule, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) based system, a serial port suchas 146, other types of data ports such as Universal Serial Bus (USB)ports, or other information system to provide for communication withsimilarly-enabled systems and devices. Data transmission and receptionmay also conform to other known standards, such as IEEE 802.11b,Infrared Data Association (IrDA) infrared, or can be carried outaccording to a proprietary transmission scheme.

Other device subsystems 180, such as power subsystems, may also beincluded in the portable module 100.

Operating system software used by the microprocessor 132 are preferablystored in the Flash memory 122 in the first memory subsystem 120. Theoperating system, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may betemporarily loaded into a volatile memory such as the RAM 124. Receivedcommunication signals may also be stored to the Flash memory 122 or theRAM 124.

The microprocessor 132, in addition to its operating system functions,also executes software applications. Applications which control basicdevice operations, such as data and voice communication applications forexample, may be installed on the portable module 100 during manufacture.A user may also install additional applications at a later time.

An exemplary application that may be loaded onto the portable module 100is a personal information manager (PIM) application that organizes andmanages data items relating to e-mail, calendar events, voice mails,appointments, and task items. The PIM application may also send andreceive data items through the network 300. In one embodiment, the PIMdata items are integrated, synchronized and updated, via the network300, with corresponding data items stored or associated with a hostcomputer system having access to the network 300.

Further applications may also be loaded onto the portable module 100through the network 300, the communication port 110, serial port 146, anauxiliary I/O subsystem 148, or any other suitable subsystem 180, forexecution by the microprocessor 132.

A communication such as a text message or web page download is processedby the communication subsystem 160 and input to the microprocessor 132,which may further process the received signal for output to the display144, or alternatively to an auxiliary I/O device 148. A user of theportable module 100 may also compose data items such as email messagesusing the keyboard 142 in conjunction with the display 144 and possiblyan auxiliary I/O device 148. The composed items may then be transmittedover the network 300 through the communication subsystem 160.

For voice communications, the operation of the portable module 100 issubstantially similar, except that received signals are output to aspeaker 150 and signals for transmission are generated by a microphone152. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems such as a voice messagerecording subsystem may also be implemented in the portable module 100.Although voice or audio signal output is usually accomplished primarilythrough the speaker 150, the display 144 may also be used to provide anindication of the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voiceor phone call, or other voice or phone call related information forexample.

The serial port 146 may be implemented in the portable module 100 forsynchronization and communication with a computer or computerperipheral.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an information system 10 including a base module200 having a receiving portion 230 in which is received a portablemodule 100. FIG. 4 is a diagram of the information system 10 in whichthe portable module 100 is removed from the receiving portion 230 of thebase module 200. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the base module200 is a telephone.

The portable module 100 is releasably mountable with the base module 200in the receiving portion 230. The receiving portion 230 isillustratively a cavity defined by side walls 232 and 234 and bottomwall 235 and is configured to receive the portable module 100. Thesecond communication port 210 is located on the bottom wall 235 of thereceiving portion 230, and the first communication port 110 is locatedin a complementary location on the bottom portion 111 of the portablemodule 100, as shown in FIG. 4.

When the portable module 100 is received in the receiving portion 230,the first and second communication ports 110 and 210 couple andcommunication between the ports 110 and 210 is established.

The receiving portion 230 also provides for retention of the portablemodule 100 in the received position. Side surfaces 232 and 234 of thereceiving portion 230 may be contoured so as to engage the sides of theportable module 100 and hold the portable module 100 by friction fitwithin the receiving portion 230. In addition, one or more surfaces ofthe receiving portion 230 may carry retention means, such as nubs orprotrusions 236 and 238 that engage detents 237 and 239 in the portablemodule 100, or vice versa, to thereby removably hold the portable module100 in the receiving portion 230. Other retention means may includeother elastically-biased protrusions or hooks on the portable module 100or the base module 200, co-operating with appropriate mating retentionmeans on the other of the base module 200 or the portable module 100.Alternatively, additional means to maintain the portable module 100 inits mounted position, such as a movable clip arrangement, may be mountedon the base module 200.

Illustratively, the base module 200 may be any standard telephonecomprising a base unit 202 having a keypad 206 thereon and a handset204. The handset 204 and the base unit 202 may be connected via atelephone cord, or may instead form a cordless telephone system in whichthe handset 204 and base unit 202 communicate via a short-range wirelesslink. In a cordless telephone, the keypad 206 is often installed on thehandset 204 instead of base unit 202. A speaker phone speaker 212 isprovided for speakerphone functions. Other telephone sets may also beadapted for operation with a portable module 100 as described in furtherdetail below.

When the portable module 100 is removed from the base module 200 asshown in FIG. 4, both the portable module 100 and base module 200 areindependently functional. The portable module 100 functions areoperable, and the base module 200 functions are similarly operable. Forexample, the portable module 100 may be used to send email messagesthrough a wireless network, and the base module 200 may be used to makea telephone call over a telephone network. Any other functions for whichthe portable module 100 and base module 200 are enabled are alsopreferably operable when the portable module 100 is detached from thebase module 200.

When the portable module 100 is received in the receiving portion 230 ofthe base module 200, the portable module 100 is in its mounted position.The base module 200 and portable module 100 communicate over the firstand second communication ports 110 and 210 to provide interoperation andhave access to at least some of the features of each other throughinteroperation.

The communication ports 110 and 210 may cooperate to form a coupledserial connection, such that the communication port 110 is the deviceserial port 146 or a USB port, as described above. Alternatively, thecommunication ports 110 and 210 may be realized using a wirelessinformation system such as infrared, SAW or a Bluetooth module aspreviously described. When the first and second communication ports 110and 210 are implemented using a wireless information system, theportable module 100 need not necessarily be in the mounted positionshown in FIG. 3 in order to communicate with the base module 200.

An extending portion 190 of the portable module 100 may extend beyondthe base module 200 to provide access to a part of the portable module100 for removal thereof from the receiving portion 230. The extendingportion 190 allows a user to grasp the top of the portable module 100and remove it from its mounted position. The retention means describedabove are preferably adapted to apply a retaining force sufficient toretain the portable module 100 in its received position, while allowinga user to easily remove the portable module 100.

When the portable module 100 is in a mounted position, power terminals182 may provide operational power to the portable module 100 and mayfurther recharge a rechargeable power source in the portable module 100.The power terminals 182 are located in the receiving portion 230 so thatthey are operatively associated with power terminals 183 located on thebottom surface of the portable module 100. The base module 200incorporates appropriate conversion and control circuitry, operativelyconnected to its power source and the power terminals 182 to provide forrecharging of a power source in the portable module 100. A rechargeablepower source in the portable module 100 may thereby be recharged fromthe power source of the base module 200 by placing the portable module100 in its mounted position.

The charging conversion and control circuitry may be installed in theportable module 100 instead of the base module 200, or partly in theportable module 100 and the base module 200. The power terminal 182 and183 have associated circuitry, physical features, or both, to preventdischarging of the respective power sources to which they are connectedor damage to internal components caused by external contact with theterminals. Illustratively, the power terminals 182 and 183 may bedesigned to impart a physical displacement to each other such thatdisplacement of the power terminals 182 and 183 is necessary to provideelectrical contact between them and the internal components of the basemodule 200 and the portable module 100. The displacement is induced whenthe portable module 100 is in a mounted position.

In an alternative embodiment, the power terminals 182 and 183 areincorporated into communication ports 210 and 110, respectively.

When the power source of the portable module 100 is discharged to suchan extent that the portable module 100 is inoperative, the portablemodule 100 may be configured to be fully operational while in itsmounted position as the base module 200 serves as a power source throughthe connection of power terminals 182 and 183. This provides foroperation of the portable module 100 during charging of the portablemodule 100 power source, even when the power source in the portablemodule 100 is incapable of supplying sufficient power for operation ofthe portable module 100.

Another embodiment information system 10 includes a portable module 100having a non-rechargeable power source. In the mounted position, theportable module 100 bypasses its internal power source and receivespower from power terminals 182 and 183, thus extending the life of thenon-rechargeable source, or enabling the portable module 100 to operatewhen its non-rechargeable source is depleted.

The nature and extent of the interoperation between the portable module100 and the base module 200 when communicating over the first and secondcommunication ports 110 and 210 will depend upon the particular devicescomprising the portable module 100 and the base module 200. In theexemplary information system 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base module200 may comprise a second processing subsystem 240 and a second memorysubsystem 220 (FIG. 1) to provide for storage and retrieval of contactinformation, such as caller ID and contact telephone numbers. Similarly,the portable module 100 may also provide for storage and retrieval ofcontact information in the first memory subsystem 120 (FIGS. 1 and 2).Certain fields of contact information, such as contact name, title,address and telephone number may be common to the contact informationstored in the portable module 100 and the base module 200.

New or updated contact information may be readily transferred betweenthe base module 200 and the portable module 100. Thus, the user need notupdate the portable module 100 and the base module 200 separately. Theinformation transfer may be automatically invoked when the portablemodule 100 is received in the receiving portion 230 of the base module200. Alternatively, the information transfer may be manually invoked bydepressing a key or key sequence on the keypad 206 of the base module200 or the keyboard 142 of the portable module 100. An auxiliary inputdevice 148 may also be used to selectively transfer information, such asa thumbwheel 148 a or auxiliary function key 148 b shown in FIG. 3.

When a contact information transfer is initiated, automatically ormanually, either the base module 200 or portable module 100 maydetermine whether the contact information should be updated according toan update scheme. For example, software in the base module 200 and theportable module 100 may be configured to recognize either the basemodule 200 or the portable module 100 as a master module that takesprecedence in an update operation. Alternatively, updates may beperformed on the basis of the time an update is made, manual selectionof one of the updates by a user, or by other update schemes. Storedcontact information and associated update software and algorithms may beadapted to implement a desired update scheme. If contact information hasnot changed on the portable module 100 or the base module 200 since theportable module 100 was last placed in its mounted position, then noupdating of contact information between the portable module 100 and thebase module 200 will be required.

Contact information may also be entered or updated in the second memorysubsystem 220 on the base module 200 or the first memory subsystem 120of the portable module 100 when the portable module 100 is in itsmounted position. Furthermore, contact information entered into theportable module 100 when it is in a mounted position may also be storedin the base module 200, and vice versa. When the addition or updating ofcontact information has been completed, a contact information transferoperation may be invoked either manually or automatically and mayproceed substantially as described above to migrate any changes or newinformation between the portable module 100 and the base module 200.

Another embodiment of the information system 10 has a single contactinformation database maintained in the first memory subsystem 120 of theportable module 100. When the portable module 100 is in its mountedposition, contact information may be stored in the first memorysubsystem 120 of the portable module 100 using either the devicekeyboard 142, auxiliary inputs 148 a, 148 b, telephone set keypad 206 orsome combination thereof. The base module 200 has access to the contactinformation stored in the first memory subsystem 120 of the portablemodule 100 when the module is in its mounted position.

In another embodiment of the information system 10, the base module 200may place a phone call based on contact information selected by theportable module 100. A user may wish to place a phone call to a contactwhose information is stored in the portable module 100. Once theinformation for a particular contact is selected on the portable module100, the user may initiate a telephone call from the base module 200using the mounted portable module 100 instead of having to manually dialthe telephone number using the keypad 206.

FIG. 5 provides a flow diagram 1000 illustrating a process of placing aphone call based on selected contact data. In step 1002, the informationsystem 10 determines if the portable module 100 has establishedcommunication with the base module 200 over the first and secondcommunication ports 110 and 210. If communication has been established,the system 10 determines if contact data is selected in the portablemodule 100, as shown in step 1004. If contact data is selected, thesystem 10 instructs the base module 200 to initiate a phone call over atelephone network based on the contact data selected in the portablemodule 100. Thus, when the portable module 100 is in its mountedposition, a user may place calls from the base module 200 to aparticular contact simply by selecting the particular contactinformation in the portable module 100.

Stored information management and call placement are exemplary functionsfor which interoperation between the portable module 100 and the basemodule 200 may be desired. Interoperation may also provide for sharedinformation display. For example, in the system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,the base module 200 does not include a display screen. However, when theportable module 100 is placed in its mounted position, the portablemodule display 144 interfaces with base module 200 and is preferablyoperable to display telephone-related information, such as calleridentification, and thereby expand the functionality of the base module200.

The portable module display 144 may display date and time indicators asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and also may display further icons andindicators, generally designated by the reference character 145,dependent upon the functions or resources available. The portable moduledisplay 144 may also display appropriate function menus indicatingfunctions available to the portable module 100.

When removed from the base module 200, the portable module 100 isoperable to perform only portable module 100 functions 102. However,when the portable module 100 is in its mounted position and incommunication with the base module 200 via the communication ports 110and 210, the portable module 100 has access to functions 202 supportedby the base module 200 as previously described. The displayed iconsand/or menus in portable module display 144 may reflect the availabilityof functions 202 which may be invoked or accessed by the portable module100.

When the portable module display 144 is used to display base module 200information, any of several different display driving schemes may beimplemented. The portable module 100 and base module 200 may beconfigured such that the base module 200 controls the portable moduledisplay 144 when the portable module 100 is placed in its mountedposition. Alternatively, drivers for the portable module display 144 mayallow separate areas of the display 144 to be dedicated to portablemodule 100 information and base module 200 information. An upper region144 a of the portable module display 144 may be dedicated to portablemodule 100 information and functions, and a lower region 144 b of theportable module display 144 is dedicated to the base module 200information. When the portable module 100 is removed from the receivingportion 230, as shown in FIG. 4, the icons and indicators 145 for thebase module 200 are no longer displayed, as the portable module 100 isno longer in communication with the base module 200.

In an alternative embodiment, the icons and indicators 145 for the basemodule 200 are available when the portable module 100 is not incommunication with the base module 200. Thus, the user is providedaccess to data received from the base module 200 and stored in the firstmemory subsystem 120. However, some functions 202 of the base module 200may not be available, as the portable module 100 is not in communicationwith the base module 200. Icons or indicators 145 for unavailablefunctions may be shaded to indicate the functions are not available, ormay not be displayed.

Automatic display control switching may also be implemented. Forexample, the portable module display 144 may default to the base module200 display when the portable module 100 is in its mounted position.Invoking a portable module function 102 may then cause the portablemodule display 144 to display information for such portable modulefunctions 102 when the portable module 100 is in its mounted position.

Manual control switching that allows a user to select whether the basemodule 200 or portable module 100 controls the portable module display144 is a further alternative. FIG. 6 provides a flow diagram 1100illustrating a multiple display driver menu selection. In step 1102, theinformation system 10 determines if the portable module 100 hasestablished communication with the base module 200 over the first andsecond communication ports 110 and 210. If communication has beenestablished, then the system 10 displays a display driver selection menuin the portable module display 144, as shown in step 1104.

In step 1106, the user determines whether the portable module display144 will display base module functions 202 or information, portablemodule functions 102 or information, or both base module functions 202or information and portable module functions 102 or information.

If the base module menu is selected, then the portable module display144 displays information related to the base module 200, including forexample information related to base module functions 202, as shown instep 1108.

If the portable module menu is selected, then the portable moduledisplay 144 displays information related to the portable module 100 andits functions 102, as shown in step 1110.

If both menus are selected, then the portable module display 144displays information related to both the portable module 100, the basemodule 200, and/or their respective functions 102 and 202, as shown instep 1112.

Display sharing schemes may also be used where the base module 200 hasits own display. FIG. 7 provides a diagram of another embodiment of theinformation system 10 in which the portable module display 144supersedes a base module display 208. The base module display 208 may beused to display limited information, such as a calling telephone number,whereas additional information such as caller name and call duration maybe displayed on the portable module display 144 when the portable module100 is in its mounted position. If the base module display 208 will beused only when the portable module 100 is not in its mounted position,then the base module display 208 may be positioned very close to orwithin an area occupied by the portable module 100 when the portablemodule 100 is in its mounted position, thereby reducing the amount ofadditional space required to accommodate the portable module 100.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information system 10in which the portable module display 144 and keypad 142 supersede thebase module keypad 206 and display 208. Thus, the amount of additionalspace required to accommodate the portable module 100 is furtherreduced.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information system 10in which the portable module 100 includes a display 144 and keypad 142for the base module 200. The base module 200 is inoperable when not incommunication with the portable module 100. Alternatively, the basemodule 200 may be able to perform limited functions when not incommunication with the portable module 100, such as receiving andanswering telephone calls. In a further alternative embodiment, thereceiver 204 of the base module 200 may include a keypad and possibly adisplay, such that the base module may be fully operational when not incommunication with the portable module 100.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information system 10wherein the portable module 100 includes a display for the base module200. In this embodiment, the portable module 100 is a small, pager-sizeddevice adapted for mounting on the base module 200. A base moduledisplay 208 may also be located beneath the portable module 100, in thereceiving portion 230, as described with reference to FIG. 7.

Illustratively, if the portable module 100 is a paging device, the basemodule 200 is operable to return a call received by the portable module100 when the portable module 100 is in its mounted position. The callmay be returned automatically or upon manual initiation by the user.Thus, the portable module 100 and the base module 200 interoperate toreturn calls to pages received by the portable module 100.

In addition to contact data, other information stored in the base module200 or portable module 100 may be similarly transferred via thecommunication ports 110 and 210. For example, a user may wish totransfer lists of recent callers and recently called telephone numbersstored in the base module 200 to the portable module 100. The user mayaccess the list to return missed calls and redial telephone numbers forcalls that may not have been completed or answered. If the portablemodule 100 is a device enabled for voice communications, such as acellular telephone, recent calls may be returned or redialled using theportable module 100. Of course, missed call data from a cellulartelephone may also be transferred to the base module 200 and calls maythen be returned from the base module 200 over a telephone network.

FIG. 11 provides a flow diagram 1200 illustrating the process ofinitiating calls based on missed call data from the portable module 100.Illustratively, the portable module 100 is a cellular telephone, and themissed call data relates to unanswered calls to the cellular telephone.In step 1202, the information system 10 determines if the portablemodule 100 has established communication with the base module 200 overthe first and second communication ports 110 and 210. If communicationhas been established, the system 10 accesses missed call data from theportable module 100, as shown in step 1204.

If the missed call data indicates that calls have been missed on theportable module 100 in step 1206, then the missed calls are displayed onthe portable module display 144 or the communication module display 208,as shown in step 1208.

If the user selects a missed call in step 1210, then the base module 200is instructed to initiate a call over a telephone network based on themissed call data, as shown in step 1212. Thus, if a user inadvertentlyleaves a cellular phone switched off, or is otherwise prevented fromreceiving calls on a cellular phone, then the missed calls may beconveniently and quickly returned from a standard telephone.

If the portable module 100 is not capable of voice communications, thentransferring the caller and redial lists to the portable module 100allows the user to retrieve the telephone numbers from the portablemodule 100 even when the base module 200 is not immediately accessible,and thereby allows the user to redial and return calls from anothertelephone.

Transfers of caller and redial lists, as well as other additionalinformation, between the portable module 100 and base module 200 may beinvoked either manually by a user or automatically when the portablemodule 100 establishes communication with the base module 200.

As described above, the portable module 100 may be enabled for voicecommunications. When a user has both a voice-enabled portable module100, such as a cellular telephone, and a voice-enabled base module 200,such as a telephone, as shown in FIG. 12, there are normally differentphone numbers assigned to the portable module 100 and base module 200. Acaller attempting to place a call to such a user normally has noknowledge of the location of the user and may often dial the portablemodule 100 phone number instead of the phone number for the base module200, simply because the user may be more likely to answer a call to theportable module 100 than the base module 200.

FIG. 13 provides a diagram illustrating call routing from the portablemodule 100 to the base module 200 to avoid airtime usage for calls tothe portable module 100. Illustratively, the portable module 100 is acommunication device that receives phone calls over a wireless network300, and the base module 200 is a telephone that communicates over atelephone network 320. The telephone network 320 and the wirelessnetwork 300 communicate through a gateway 330. The base module 200 andcaller equipment 201 are connected to the telephone network 320 vialinks 304 and 306, respectively. The links 304 and 306 will typically behardwired conductor or optical links, but may also include wirelesscommunication links to the telephone network 320. The portable module100 and a communication device 321 communicate over the wireless network300 through wireless links. The gateway 330 is a system through whichcalls to the portable module 100 and possibly other communicationdevices enter and are routed through the network 300. Although shown inFIG. 12 as linking the telephone network 320 and the wirelesscommunication network 300, the gateway 330 may be implemented in eitherof these networks. Other intervening networks may also be used.

When the portable module 100 is placed in its mounted position, asindicated in FIG. 13 by the double arrow 68, a control message 70 issent to the network 300. The control message 70 may then be forwarded tothe gateway 330 or a network service provider that operates the gateway330 and/or network 300. In response to the control message 70, anysubsequent incoming calls over the wireless network 300 for the portablemodule 100 are routed over the telephone network 320 to the base module200. The routing includes both calls placed over the telephone network320, as indicated by arrow 72, and calls placed over the wirelessnetwork 300, as indicated by arrow 74. As long as the portable module100 remains in its mounted position, the incoming calls to the portablemodule 100 will continue to be routed over the telephone network 320.

FIG. 14 provides a flow diagram 1300 illustrating a process of routingcalls placed to a wireless network 300 to a telephone network 320. Instep 1302, the information system 10 determines if the portable module100 has established communication with the base module 200 over thefirst and second communication ports 110 and 210. If communication hasnot been established, then calls to the portable module 100 are receivedover the wireless network 300, as shown in step 1304. If communicationhas been established, however, then a control signal 70 is sent to thewireless network 300 to route calls over the wireless network 300 to thebase module 200 over the telephone network 320, as shown in step 1306.

The call routing of step 1306 continues until the system 10 detects thatthe communication between the portable module 100 and the base module200 over the first and second communication ports 110 and 210 isterminated, as shown in step 1308. Upon communication termination,another control signal 70 is sent to the wireless network 300 to cancelthe routing of calls over the wireless network 300 to the base module200 over the telephone network 320, as shown in step 1310.

In a similar manner, the base module 200 may also be configured to routecalls to the portable module 100 unless the portable module 100 is inits mounted position. These two routing schemes may be further combinedso that calls to the portable module 100 will automatically be routed tothe base module 200 when the portable module 100 is in its mountedposition, and calls to the base module 200 will automatically be routedto the portable module 100 when the portable module 100 is detached.

Furthermore, a user may configure the portable module 100 and basemodule 200 to automate re-routing functions as desired. Illustratively,if the base module 200 is a user's business telephone, the user mayconfigure the base module 200 to route calls to the portable module 100only during the user's morning and evening commute times. Thus, shouldthe user receive a business call to the base module 200 when the user istravelling to or from work, the user may answer the call on the portablemodule 100.

A user may also override any automatic re-routing, using either theportable module 100 or base module 200 I/O devices. Illustratively, if auser's base module 200 is a business telephone, the user may be able tooverride automatic call re-routing to the portable module 100 in suchsituations as when the portable module 100 is lost or the user is at theoffice but is not in possession of the portable module 100.

When the portable module 100 is detached from the base module 200 or auser wishes to override call re-routing, another control message is sentto the gateway 330 or a network service provider to terminate the callre-routing. The portable module 100 and base module 200 are thenoperable to make and receive calls separately.

The information system 10 also provides for handing off to the basemodule 200 a call that is in progress to the portable module 100 whenthe portable module 100 is placed in its mounted position. If a user hasa call in progress to the portable module 100 when approaching thevicinity of the base module 200, the user may desire to proceed with thecall using the base module 200 instead of the portable module 100.

Rather than terminating the existing call and re-establishing the callthrough the base module 200, a handoff may be accomplished to transferthe call from the portable module 100 to the base module 200. FIG. 15 isa diagram illustrating call handoff from the portable module 100 to abase module 200. A call in progress to the portable module 100 isindicated by arrow 76. When the user places the portable module 100 inits mounted position as indicated by double arrow 68, a control message70 is sent to the network 300. The control message 70 may then beforwarded to the gateway 330 or a network service provider that operatesthe gateway 330 and/or network 300. The gateway 330 or the network 300then routes the call 76 to the base module 200 through the telephonenetwork 320 instead of to the portable module 100 through the wirelesscommunication network 300 as long as the portable module 100 remains inits mounted position.

The routing of call 76 through the telephone network 320, as indicatedby arrow 78, is accomplished by the gateway 330 in communication withthe wireless network 300. The call 76 is maintained until the callconnection 78 is established. When the call 78 is established, themobile network call 76 may be terminated. Accordingly, the calling orcalled party is not required to perform any call transfer or redialoperations to connect with the base module 200 to continue the call.Furthermore, when the portable module 100 is placed in its mountedposition, the user may immediately continue a call 76 to the portablemodule 100 using the base module 200. However, the call to the portablemodule 100 continues over the wireless network 300. The portable module100 communicates with the base module 200 over the first and secondcommunication ports 110 and 210 to facilitate the use of the handset 204for voice communications via the portable module 100. The handset isthen effectively an auxiliary I/O device 148 that is used instead of themodule speaker 150 and microphone 150 to continue the call. Once there-routed call 78 is connected over the telephone network 320 to thebase module 200, the call to the portable module 100 is terminated.

In another embodiment, when the portable module 100 is placed in itsmounted position, the user may immediately continue a call to theportable module 100 using the base module 200. However, the call to theportable module 100 remains over the wireless network 300 and is notre-routed. The portable module 100 communicates with the base module 200over the first and second communication ports 110 and 210 to facilitatethe use of the handset 204 for voice communications via the portablemodule 100. The handset is then effectively an auxiliary I/O device 148that is used instead of the module speaker 150 and microphone 150 tocontinue the call.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating call handoff from a portable module100 to a base module 200, wherein the call is placed form a mobilecommunication device 321. The overall handoff process is substantiallyas described above. However, when the call 80 is between two wirelesscommunication devices communicating over the wireless network 300, itmay be necessary to transmit a control message to other wireless network300 components instead of or in addition to the gateway 330 in order toestablish the new call connection 82 to the base module 200 through thetelephone network 320. A call handoff for a wireless communicationdevice to another wireless communication device will be adapted to theparticular wireless network 300 through which the call is routed.

When a call is in progress on the base module 200 and the portablemodule 100 in its mounted position, detachment of the portable module100 may initiate a handoff from the base module 200 to the portablemodule 100, substantially as described above. A control message may besent from either the base module 200 or portable module 100 to thenetwork 300 or gateway 330 or other communications equipment in thetelephone network 320 to establish a new call connection through thewireless network 300 to the portable module 100. This function, likethose described above, may be configured for automatic or manualexecution.

Even when the portable module 100 is not enabled for voice or audiofunctions, voice or audio related functions of the base module 200 maystill be accessible to and usable by the portable module 100 when theportable module 100 is in its mounted position. For example, if theportable module 100 is a mobile e-mail messaging device adapted forreceiving e-mail messages and attachments, the user may receive voice oraudio items such as sound file attachments to the e-mail messages at theportable module 100. When a user's voicemail system is integrated withor operates in conjunction with an e-mail system such that voicemailmessages appear in the user's e-mail inbox, voicemail messages may alsobe received at the portable module 100.

When the portable module 100 is mounted on the base module 200, and thusin communication with the base module 200 over communication ports 110and 210, a speaker in the handset 204 or an auxiliary speaker phonespeaker 212 or other handsfree accessory connected to the base module200 provides an audio playback feature. An audio file, voicemail messageor incoming internet audio content may be transferred from the portablemodule 100 to the base module 200 or otherwise made accessible to thebase module 200 for audio playback. Playback of a voicemail message fromthe portable module 100 through the base module 200 allows a user toaccess and listen to voicemail messages without having to call avoicemail system. The audio playback also enhances Internet browsing onthe portable module 100 because audio content is now available whenbrowsing on the portable module 100.

The base module 200 may incorporate appropriate processing circuitrycorresponding to the types of files or voicemails to be played backthrough the portable module 100. Alternatively, the portable module 100may include basic processing circuitry to generate output signalssuitable for driving a speaker in the base module 200.

Another embodiment of the information system 10 provides fortransferring audio files from the base module 200 to the portable module100. Further, if the portable module 100 communicates over the wirelessnetwork 300, the user may then send audio files over the network 300.

However, if the portable module 100 does not include audio or soundprocessing features, the base module 200 may still be used to recordaudio files which may be stored in the base module 200 and/or theportable module 100 when the portable module 100 is in its mountedposition. The user may then forward the audio file using the portablemodule 100, or simply store the file for later use. Audio files recordedin this manner may be voice messages, sound clips, recording oftelephone conversations and the like.

Furthermore, if the base module 200 does not include a memory subsystem,the portable module 100 provides both a memory subsystem 120 forrecording audio files and a means for sending such audio files from thebase module 200. The base module 200 similarly provides audio processingand transducers for the portable module 100 to play back audio filesstored at the portable module 100 and record audio inputs for storage inthe first memory subsystem 120 of the portable module 100.

The above embodiments of the information system 10 have been describedin the context of the portable module 100 being received in a receivingportion 230 of the base module 200. When the portable module 100 isreceived in the receiving portion 230 of the base module 200,communication over the communication ports 110 and 210 is established.However, communication over the communication ports 110 and 210 may alsobe established when the portable module 100 is not received in thereceiving portion 230. FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of theinformation system 10 in which the base module 200 does not have areceiving portion 230. In this embodiment, the portable module 100communicates with the base module 200 when the portable module 100 iswithin a transmission range of the base module 200, or, alternatively,when transmission is enabled by the user of the portable module 100.

The transmission range may depend of the communication devices used torealize the communication ports 110 and 210. For example, if thecommunication ports 110 and 210 comprise infrared transceivers, thetransmission range may be limited to a room in which the portable module100 and the base module 200 are located. On the other hand, if thecommunication ports 110 and 210 comprise RF transceivers, thetransmission range may be expanded to several adjacent rooms or evenfurther. Illustratively, a portable module 100 and a base module 200interoperating over a RF link may provide a user with caller IDinformation for an incoming phone call to the base module 200 via themodule display 144 when the user is in another room. Furthermore, theportable module 100 may answer the incoming phone call to the basemodule 200. Thus, the phone call is placed over the telephone network320, and the portable module 100 communicates over the telephone network320 via the communication ports 110 and 210 and the base module 200.

The above embodiments of the information system 10 have been describedprimarily in the context of a base module 200 having a single associatedportable module 100. More than one portable module 100 may be associatedwith a base module 200. FIG. 18 is a diagram of another embodiment ofthe information system 10 including multiple portable modules 100 a and100 b. Each portable module 100 a and 100 b communicates with the basemodule 200 via ports 110 a and 110 b, respectively. Each portable module100 a and 100 b may also perform different functions 102 a and 102 b,respectively. For example, portable module 100 a may be a voice module,such as a cellular telephone, and portable module 100 b may be a datamodule, such as a PDA. Each portable module 100 a and 100 b may alsoincorporate different communication means for ports 110 a and 110 b;accordingly, the base module 200 will also include correspondingcommunication means to communicate over each communication port 110 aand 110 b.

Each portable module 100 a and 100 b may include a particular deviceidentification number as described above. The base module 200 may accessthe first memory subsystem 120 of a portable module 100 to obtain theidentification number, or a portable module 100 may transfer itsidentification number to the base module 200 when placed in a mountedposition. If the portable module 100 is a GPRS device, then the basemodule 200 may be configured to determine an identity by accessing a SIMcard installed in the portable module 100.

Functions 102 a and 102 b may include common functions and features,such as storing and accessing contact data. Information may betransferred between any portable module 100 a and 100 b and the basemodule 200.

Furthermore, the base module 200 may include a memory subsystem and maystore information in a plurality of distinct memory locations, each ofwhich preferably corresponds to one or more modules 100. Illustratively,a second memory subsystem 220 in the base module 200 includes a memoryarea dedicated to the base module 200, memory areas for each portablemodule 100 a and 100 b, and a further memory area for common storage fordata common to the base module 200 and portable modules 100 a and 100 b.

When a portable module 100 a is placed in a mounted position, datastored in a memory first subsystem in that portable module may besynchronized with memory areas dedicated to the portable module 100 aand a common storage area. Data may also be synchronized with a memoryarea for portable module 100 b and the base module 200. Thus, datastored in each portable module 100 a and 100 b may include unique andcommon data. For example, both portable modules 100 a and 100 bassociated with the base module 200 may store common emergency contactinformation but different personal contact information.

In another embodiment, the data corresponding to a particular portablemodule 100 in a memory area in the base module 200 may only beaccessible by the particular portable module 100.

The features of the information system 10 described with reference toFIGS. 1-17 are likewise available to modules 100 a and 100 b. Eachportable module 100 a and 100 b and the base module 200 cooperatesubstantially as described above to provide for such features asappropriate for each combination.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of another embodiment of the information systemincluding multiple portable modules 100 a and 100 b and multiplereceiving portions 230 a and 230 b. The features of the informationsystem 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1-17 are likewise availableto modules 100 a and 100 b. Furthermore, multiple interoperations mayoccur simultaneously. For example, portable module 100 a may exchangedata with the base module 200, and portable module 100 b may be used toroute phone calls over a wireless network 300 from base module 200.

When a portable module display 144 is to be used to display base module200 information as described above, the portable module display 144 ofone of the portable modules 100 a and 100 b will preferably be used forsuch purpose at any one time. The base module 200 and portable modules100 a and 100 b may be configured such that when both portable modules100 a and 100 b are mounted in the receiving portions 230 a and 230 b,base module 200 information is displayed in a default portable module,illustratively 100 a. If the portable module 100 a is detached from thebase module 200, then the base module 200 information will preferably bedisplayed on the portable module display 244 b of portable module 100 b.

Such display switching may also be invoked when a current defaultportable module 100 a is used to perform its own resident functions whenin its mounted position. Illustratively, if the default portable module100 a is a data module, such as a PDA, and a calculator function isinvoked, then the base module 200 information is displayed on thedisplay 244 b of the portable module 100 b. If both modules 100 a and100 b are in use, then the default portable module 100 a may beconfigured to display base module 200 information on a portion of itsdisplay screen, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The embodiment of FIG. 19 may be adapted to provide interoperationbetween a telephone, a PDA, and a cellular telephone, as shown in FIG.20. FIG. 20 is another embodiment of the information system including atelephone having a first receiving portion for a PDA and a secondreceiving portion for a cellular telephone. The base module 200 isillustratively a telephone, the portable module 100 a is illustrativelya PDA, and the portable module 100 b is illustratively a cellulartelephone. As previously described, multiple interoperations offunctions between the telephone 200, the PDA 100 a and the cellulartelephone 100 b may occur simultaneously. For example, when the PDA 100a and the cellular telephone 100 b are received in receiving portions230 a and 230 b, respectively, telephone calls to the cellular telephone100 b may be routed from a wireless communication network to thetelephone 200 over a telephone network. Furthermore, calls received onthe telephone 200 may be recorded and stored in a first memory subsystemof the PDA 100 a.

In another example, recorded conversations or audio files stored in thefirst memory subsystem of the PDA 100 a may be played during a telephoneconversation conducted over a telephone network via telephone 200, orover a wireless communication network over the cellular telephone 100 b.As described above, such stored files may instead be played backlocally, through a receiver or speaker of the telephone 200.

A computer 400 may also be in communication with a telephone 200 over alink 402. Illustratively, the link 402 is a serial cable. Of course,communication between the telephone 200 and the computer 400 may beestablished by other means, including the wireless communication meansas previously described.

The computer 400 may, for example, access the first memory subsystem ofthe PDA 100 a, and the first memory subsystem of the cellular telephone100 b. Furthermore, the computer 400 may also have access to a secondmemory subsystem of the telephone 200.

A user may further interoperate the telephone 200, the PDA 100 a, andthe cellular telephone 100 b through the computer 400. A communicationmanagement program stored and executed on the computer 400, allows theuser to access the telephone 200 functions, the PDA 100 a functions, andthe cellular telephone 100 b functions. Furthermore, the computer 400may also store a master database in which data downloaded from thetelephone 200, the PDA 100 a, and the cellular telephone 100 b isconsolidated.

A base module 200 may also be operable to provide generic and restrictedfunctions. A base module 200 may be associated with a first portablemodule 100 a and provide both generic and restricted functions when theportable module 100 a is in communication with the base module 200 overfirst and second communication ports 110 and 210. Illustratively,displaying caller identification on the portable module display 144 andenabling local calling are generic functions. Enabling long distancecalling, recording a phone conversation on the base module 200 into thefirst memory subsystem 120 of the portable module 100, and accessingdata stored in a second memory subsystem 220 of the base module 200 arerestricted functions. Thus, a first user with the first portable module100 a has access to both generic and restricted functions. However, asecond user with a second portable module 100 b may have access only tothe generic functions on the base module 200 if it is not associatedwith the base module 200.

Access to the restricted functions may further be limited by requiring apasscode to be entered when the portable module 100 is placed in amounted position on base module 200. The passcode provides addedsecurity in the event that a portable module 100 is lost or stolen.

The passcode may also be used to enable restricted functions on a basemodule 200 with which a portable module 100 is not associated. Asdescribed above, the base module 200 may detect an identification numberof a portable module 100 that is placed in a mounted position todetermine whether or not a passcode prompt is required. If a passcode isrequired, then unless a user enters a valid passcode, access to anyrestricted functions is denied.

The designation of particular functions as generic or restricted ispreferably made by the user or a system administrator. Furthermore,different classifications of generic functions and restricted functionsmay also be defined. For example, a corporate user may be able to accessall generic and restricted functions on his or her own telephone set,and all “corporate-generic” functions from any other corporate telephoneset. However, a visitor to corporate premises may be permitted accessonly to visitor generic functions, such as portable module 100charging/powering and local telephone calling.

FIG. 21 provides a flow diagram 1400 illustrating generic and restrictedfunction access as implemented in a corporate setting. In step 1402, theinformation system 10 determines whether the portable module 100 is incommunication with the base module 200 over communication ports 110 and210. If communication is not established, then the information system 10enables only PBX calling within a corporation as shown in step 1404.

However, if communication is established, then step 1406 determineswhether the portable module 100 is associated with the base module 200.If the portable module 100 is associated with the base module 200, step1408 requests a passcode from the user. In step 1410, the informationsystem 10 determines whether a valid passcode has been received. If avalid passcode is received, then step 1412 enables all generic andrestricted functions to the user.

Returning to step 1406, if the portable module 100 is not associatedwith the base module 200, then step 1414 determines whether the portablemodule 100 is a visitor module. If the portable module 100 is a visitormodule, then step 1416 enables visitor generic functions.Illustratively, visitor generic functions include local calling from thecorporate premises.

If the portable module 100 is not a visitor module, however, then apasscode is requested in step 1418. In step 1420, the system 10determines whether a valid passcode has been input by the user. If avalid passcode has been input by the user, step 1422 enables corporategeneric functions.

FIG. 22 is another embodiment of the information system 10 wherein aportable module 100 is received in a computer 400 having a receivingportion 430. The computer 400 includes a keyboard 414, a set ofauxiliary input keys 416, and a display 418. The portable module 100 maybe mountable on the keyboard portion of the computer 400, as shown inFIG. 22, or adjacent to the display 418. The computer 400 and portablemodule 100 may also be adapted such that the portable module 100 or apart thereof is inserted into an enclosed mounting cavity to enable theportable module 100 to communicate with the computer 400.

Of course, rather than being received in the receiving portion 430 ofthe computer 400, the portable module 100 may communicate with thecomputer 400 via a short range link as previously described, thuseliminating the receiving portion 430.

Alternatively, separate mounting components 420 may be provided, asshown in FIGS. 23 and 24. FIG. 23 is another embodiment of theinformation system wherein the portable module includes a mounting baseoperable to communicate with the computer via a cable. FIG. 24 is afurther embodiment of the information system wherein the portable moduleincludes a mounting base received by the computer in a receiving slot

In FIG. 23, the mounting component 420 is connected to computer 400through a cable 422 and a port 423 on the computer 400. The mountingcomponent 420 of FIG. 24 communicates with the computer 400 through anexpansion slot such as a PCMCIA port 428 and corresponding computer card426. The card 426 may be separate from both the computer 400 andmounting component 420, or may alternatively be integrated with themounting component 420. A portion of the card 426 is inserted into theexpansion slot or port 428 to provide for communication between theportable module 100 and computer 400.

A communication link between the portable module 100 and the computer400 via communication ports 110 and 410 provides interoperationsubstantially as described above. Thus, if the portable module 100 lacksprocessing resources required for certain file types, such as voicemessages, audio files and images, the files may be processed using thecomputer 400. In the case of a voice message or audio file, the filesmay preferably be played back through a sound subsystem on the computer400. Image files, including still images and video files, may similarlybe viewed or played by the computer 400. If the portable module 100 isfurther enabled for Internet browsing, audio and image processingresources of the computer 400 may be utilized.

The computer 400 may also be used to prepare data or files which maythen be transferred to the portable module 100 when the device is in itsmounted position or otherwise in communication with the computer 400.Such files may then be stored in the first memory subsystem on theportable module 100 for later use on the portable module 100 or otherequipment with which the portable module 100 may be mounted, ortransferred over a wireless communication network from the portablemodule 100. The computer 400 may also provide power terminals forpowering the portable module 100 as similarly described with referenceto FIGS. 3 and 4.

Accordingly, a suitably adapted computer 400 may effectively provideadditional input and output capabilities for a portable module 100. Inanother embodiment, the portable module 100 provides wireless modemfunctionality to the computer 400. When a portable module 100 is mountedon or in communication with the computer 400, the computer 400 ispreferably able to implement the portable module 100 as a wireless modemfor the computer 400. A user may then use the computer 400 directly tosend and receive data, files, emails and the like and perform Internetbrowsing functions.

Non-communication functions supported by the portable module 100 arepreferably operable when the portable module 100 in use by the computer400 as a wireless modem. Additionally, the user may select andpreferably switch between a portable module-controlled communicationmode and a computer-controlled communication mode.

FIG. 25 is another embodiment of the information system wherein theportable module is received in a receiving portion of a facsimilemachine. In FIG. 25, a portable module 100 is mountable on a facsimilemachine 500. The facsimile machine 500 has a keypad 504 for entering adestination facsimile number, a handset 506 for placing voice calls anda display screen 508. A communication link between the portable module100 and the facsimile machine 500 via communication ports 110 and 510provides interoperation substantially as described above.

Contact information including contact names and associated facsimilenumbers may be transferred between the portable module 100 and thefacsimile machine 500. The display 144 of the portable module 100 maytherefore be used to display facsimile machine information when theportable module 100 is in its mounted position, particularly where thefacsimile machine 500 does not have its own display screen or itsdisplay screen 508 is relatively small. If file types compatible withthe facsimile machine 500 are stored on the portable module 100, thensuch files may be transferred to the facsimile machine 500 for printingor transfer to another facsimile machine.

Similarly, the portable module 100 or facsimile machine 500 may supportfile conversions such that other file types may be converted tofacsimile-compatible file types, files of such other types may betransferred from the portable module 100 to the facsimile machine 500for printing or sending. Received facsimiles may also be printed by thefacsimile machine 500, transferred from the facsimile machine to theportable module 100, or both.

Placing calls from the facsimile machine 500 based on contact dataselected in the portable module 100, substantially as described above inconjunction with base module 200, may be implemented in the facsimilemachine 500 embodiment of FIG. 25. Furthermore, if the portable module100 is operable to receive facsimile transmissions, the facsimiletransmission may be printed out at the facsimile machine 500.

Although a receiving portion 530 is shown in FIG. 25, the previouslydescribed port- or expansion slot-based connection, separate mountingcomponent or a short-range wireless communication link may beimplemented to provide for communication between the portable module 100and the facsimile machine 500.

FIGS. 26 and 27 show arrangements whereby the portable module 100interoperates with a scanner 600. FIG. 26 is an embodiment of theinformation system wherein the portable module includes a mounting baseoperable to communicate with a scanner via a cable, and FIG. 27 isanother embodiment of the information system wherein the portable moduleincludes a mounting base received by the scanner in a receiving slot. Acommunication link between the portable module 100 and the scanner 600via communication ports 110 and 610 provides for information transferand interoperation, substantially as described above. In FIG. 26, thescanner 600 communicates with the portable module 100 through a cable642 connecting a mounting component 640 to a port 644. The scanner 600in FIG. 27 incorporates an expansion port or slot 648 adapted to receivea computer card 646. The computer card 646 is either connectable to orintegrated with the mounting component 640, as described above withreference to FIG. 24. A mounting cavity or wireless link (not shown) mayalso enable communication between the portable module 100 and thescanner 600.

When a document is scanned by the scanner 600, the resultant datarepresenting the document may be transferred to the portable module 100.This data may then be stored on the portable module 100 for later use,sent over a wireless communication network, or transferred to anotherdevice with which the portable module 100 may communicate. Otherfeatures which may be implemented in portable module 100 and scanner 600embodiment include scanner information display on the portable moduledisplay 144 and portable module 100 powering and/or power sourcecharging from a scanner power source.

In FIGS. 28 and 29, a portable module 100 interoperates with a computerprinter 700. FIG. 28 is an embodiment of the information system whereinthe portable module includes a mounting base operable to communicatewith a printer via a cable, and FIG. 29 is another embodiment of theinformation system wherein the portable module is received in areceiving portion of a printer. As shown in FIG. 28, the portable module100 communicates with printer 700 through a wired connection 704 andmounting component 702. The mounting component 702 may also be of thetype shown in FIG. 24, which communicates with the printer 700 via acomputer card and a corresponding port or slot in the printer 700.

The printer 700 of FIG. 29 has a receiving portion 730 in its topsurface adapted to receive the portable module 100. The printer 700normally has multiple keys 758 for operation. A typically small displayscreen 760 is also normally provided in order to display statusinformation, error signals and the like.

The printer 700 and the portable module 100 interoperate to printinformation that is stored in the first memory subsystem 120 theportable module 100. Such stored information that a user may wish toprint may include email messages, task lists, calendar appointments,notepad contents, contact information, and stored files. A user maypreferably also compose information or files on the portable module 100for immediate printing on the printer 700.

Printer 700 information may also be displayed on the portable moduledisplay 144. The portable module display 144 may be used in conjunctionwith or instead of the printer display 760. When the portable module 100is in its mounted position, its display 144 is either entirely orpartially used to display printer information, substantially asdescribed above in the base module 200 embodiments of FIGS. 1-17. If theprinter display 760 is inactive or displays only the same information asthe portable module display 144 when the portable module 100 is in itsmounted position, then the receiving portion 730 may be positioned inproximity to the printer display 760 in order to minimize spacerequirements, as previously described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.Device powering and/or power source charging from a printer 700 powersource are also preferably implemented.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the information system 10, asingle portable module 100 may be mounted on any suitably adapted otherdevice. As described briefly above, certain interoperation functions,such as device power source recharging and device powering for example,may be classified as generic functions supported for all devices by anyequipment adapted for mounting of a portable module 100. In such asystem, a user may access any supported interoperation functions bymounting a mobile device 100 in a receiving portion or componentassociated with any suitably adapted equipment, including a telephoneset, computer, facsimile machine, scanner and printer.

The embodiments described herein are examples of structures, systems ormethods having elements corresponding to the elements of the inventionrecited in the claims. This written description may enable those ofordinary skill in the art to make and use embodiments having alternativeelements that likewise correspond to the elements of the inventionrecited in the claims. The intended scope of the invention thus includesother structures, systems or methods that do not differ from the literallanguage of the claims, and further includes other structures, systemsor methods with insubstantial differences from the literal language ofthe claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A communication module for use with amobile communication device configured to wirelessly communicate througha wireless cellular network, the communication module comprising: acommunication subsystem configured to communicate through a firstcommunication network other than the wireless cellular network; acommunication port configured to (i) establish, with the mobilecommunication device, a direct non-network-based short-range wirelesslink that is based on neither the first communication network nor thewireless cellular network, and (ii) receive, from the mobilecommunication device through the short-range wireless link, contactinformation that is stored in the mobile communication device, whereinthe contact information relates to a contact of that the mobilecommunication device is configured to communicate with over the wirelesscellular network; a memory configured to store the contact information;and a processing subsystem configured to use the stored contactinformation to initiate a communication, through the first communicationnetwork, between the communication module and the contact.
 2. Thecommunication module of claim 1 wherein the communication module isconfigured to receive and store the contact information automaticallywhen the short-range wireless link to the mobile communication device isestablished.
 3. The communication module of claim 1 wherein thecommunication module is configured to receive and store the contactinformation in response to a user input.
 4. The communication module ofclaim 1 wherein the communication module is configured to previous toreceiving the contact information, store information regarding thecontact in the memory; and after receiving the contact information, usethe received contact information to update the previously-storedinformation that is in the memory.
 5. The communication module of claim1 wherein the communication module is configured to receive, from a userinterface, information related to the contact; and send the receivedinformation through the short-range link to the mobile communicationdevice.
 6. The communication module of claim 1 wherein the communicationmodule comprises a telephone, the first communication network is a wiredtelephone network, the contact information includes a phone number ofthe contact of the mobile communication device, the communication is aphone call, and the communication module initiating the communicationcomprises the communication module using the phone number to place thephone call.
 7. The communication module of claim 1 wherein the contactinformation includes a contact telephone number.
 8. The communicationmodule of claim 1 wherein the communication module is configured torestrict access to data stored in the communication module, and thecommunication port is configured to receive an identification number ofthe mobile communication device from the cellular mobile communicationdevice through the short-range wireless link from the mobilecommunication device, which causes the communication module to enableaccess to the data.
 9. A method performed by a communication module thatis configured to communicate through a first communication network, themethod comprising: (i) establishing a direct non-network-basedshort-range wireless link with a mobile communication device that isconfigured to wirelessly communicate through a wireless cellularnetwork; (ii) receiving, from the mobile communication device throughthe short-range wireless link, contact information that is stored in themobile communication device, wherein the contact information relates toa contact that the mobile communication device is configured tocommunicate with over the wireless cellular network; (iii) storing thecontact information in a memory; and (iv) using the stored contactinformation to initiate a communication with the contact through thefirst communication network; wherein the communication module performssteps (i)-(iv); and wherein the short-range wireless link is based onneither the first communication network nor the wireless cellularnetwork.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the receiving and the storingare performed automatically by the communication module when theshort-range wireless link to the mobile communication device isestablished.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the receiving and thestoring are performed in response to a user input.
 12. The method ofclaim 9 further comprising: previous to receiving the contactinformation, store information regarding the contact in the memory; andafter receiving the contact information, using the received contactinformation to update the previously-stored information that is in thememory.
 13. The method of claim 9 further comprising: receiving, from auser interface, information related to a contact; and sending thereceived information to the mobile communication device through theshort-range link.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the communicationmodule comprises a telephone, the first communication network is a wiredtelephone network, the contact information includes a telephone numberof the contact of the mobile communication device, the communication isa phone call, and the communication module initiating the communicationcomprises the communication module using the phone number to place thephone call.
 15. The method of claim 9 wherein the contact informationincludes a contact telephone number.
 16. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising: the communication module restricting access to data storedin the communication module; the communication module receiving anidentification number of the mobile communication device from the mobilecommunication device through the short-range wireless connection; andbased on the identification number, the communication module enablingaccess to the data.
 17. The method of claim 9 further comprising: thecommunication module restricting use of a particular function of thecommunication module; the communication module receiving anidentification number of the mobile communication device from the mobilecommunication device through the short-range wireless connection; andbased on the identification number, the communication module enablinguse of the particular function.
 18. The method of claim 9 wherein thereceiving of the contact information by the communication module isautomatically invoked when the mobile communication device is mounted onthe communication module.
 19. The method of claim 9 wherein theshort-range communication link is through infrared transmission.